Pakistan's game plan pays off thanks to Kamran by AFP

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Scorecard:

Pakistan v West Indies

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DateLine: 19th January 2005

 

Pakistan's game plan paid off when they defeated the West Indies by six wickets in their tri-series one-day cricket match at Brisbane's Gabba ground.

 

Inspired by a flawless 124 from wicketkeeper turned opener Kamran Akmal, Pakistan reached the 274 runs needed for victory with the loss of just four wickets and three overs to spare, for their first victory in the competition which also includes Australia.

 

Wednesday's win was achieved without key paceman Shoaib Akhtar, who went off with a suspected torn hamstring after bowling just 2.5 overs.

 

Pakistani captain Inzamam-ul-Haq had hoped to win the toss and use Shoaib to put early pressure on the West Indian batsmen, in what were expected to be humid conditions.

 

Conditions offered the bowlers far less swing than expected and the West Indies reached a total of 273 for 5. But Kamran, 23, also prospered when his turn came, making his first one-day century.

 

Pakistan, whose batting has been inconsistent throughout their Australian tour, lost the normally solid Salman Butt for 10 and Mohammad Hafeez for two to be 35 for 2 in the eighth over.

 

But they fought back through Kamran and Shoaib Malik, who scored a run-a-ball 60 before nicking left-arm paceman Ian Bradshaw to wicketkeeper Courtney Browne.

 

Inzamam's return to form continued. He added an unbeaten 62 to the 68 he made in the tourists' opening tri-series match against Australia in Hobart on Sunday.

 

West Indian captain Brian Lara conceded later that his batsmen had not taken full advantage of the spinners. "Unfortunately 273 wasn't enough ... we have got some lessons to learn but we will go forward from here," he said.

 

For the West Indies, yet to record a win in the competition, the return to the opening position of allrounder Chris Gayle with 82 was a welcome sign but there was a downside.

 

Gayle overcame a shoulder injury to play but appeared to aggravate the problem and could not bowl. He is in doubt for the West Indies' next match against Australia in Brisbane on Friday.

 

Shoaib is also unlikely to be fit for Pakistan's next match against Australia in Sydney on Sunday.

 

(Article: Copyright © 2005 AFP)